FR2751530A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A PATIENT WITH A DERIVED SUPPORT HEEL AREA - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for supporting the body of a patient by providing at least one supporting element (512) such as a mattress subdivided into at least two sealed, flexible outlet-controlled portions (514, 514a) that are inflatable to a pressure dependent on the desired compliance of said portions. The first portion (514) supports all of the patient's body except for the heel area (514a), and the second portion (514a) specifically supports the heel area. Said second portion (514a) is inflated via the first portion (514). The inflation pressure is thus readily adjustable according to the patient's relative position on the support, the patient's weight and morphology, or any special treatment requirements.

Description

 The invention relates essentially to a method and a device with a derived heel support zone.

It is known from the applicant's prior document FR-A-2 718 347 =
EP-AO 676 158 a method and an apparatus for supporting a supported element, in particular the body of a patient, allowing support at a controlled depth of penetration, essentially constant using a measuring device comprising an induction system combined with a metal sheet situated under the body to be supported, the metal sheet being displaced as a function of the depression of the body to be supported. The support device can be a single chamber, as shown in Figure 1, which is also recalled in Figure 1 in the appendix. On the other hand, in Figure 3 of this prior document of the applicant, there was provided a support device with three chambers 114a, 114b, 114c including a heel zone chamber, each chamber being provided with a depth measurement device to allow individual control of each chamber at an appropriate inflation pressure. It is understood that this procedure complicates the apparatus and the operating method.

 Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to solve the new technical problem consisting in providing a solution which makes it possible to support a patient's body with at least two support zones, including one zone specific heel while maintaining a simple structure of the device and simple operation.

 The main object of the present invention is also to solve the aforementioned new technical problem according to a solution which makes it possible to maintain an adjustment of the pressure of the heel zone independently of the pressure in the support zone other than the heel zone, while maintaining the simple structure of the device and its simplified operation.

 All of these technical problems are solved for the first time by the present invention, in a simple, inexpensive manner, usable on an industrial and medical scale.

 Thus, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of supporting a patient's body, comprising the provision of at least one support element, in particular a mattress, subdivided into at least two closed, flexible zones , with controlled exhaust, inflatable under a pressure depending on the setting of the insertion distance, at least a first support zone of the patient's body other than the heel zone, and a second specific support zone of the heel zone, characterized in that the second zone is inflated in diversion from the first zone.

 According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure in the second zone is adjustable as a function of the pressure in the first zone.

 According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure in the second zone of the heel zone is substantially constant.

In this case, the pressure ratio between the two zones will advantageously be variable.

 According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure in the second zone of the heel zone is a constant fraction of the pressure of the first zone.

 According to a second aspect, the present invention also covers a device for supporting the body of a patient comprising at least one support element, in particular a mattress, subdivided into at least two closed zones, flexible, and with controlled exhaust, inflatable under a pressure depending on the setting of the insertion distance, at least a first support zone of the patient's body other than the heel zone, and a second specific support zone of the heel zone, characterized in that said second zone is connected in derivation of the first zone so as to be inflated in derivation of the first zone.

 According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device of the invention, the connection between the second heel zone and the first zone comprises a pressure regulation valve.

 According to another alternative embodiment, this pressure regulating valve is adjusted to give a substantially constant pressure value in the second zone.

 According to another alternative embodiment, this pressure regulating valve is adjusted to give a pressure value in the second heel zone constituting a substantially constant fraction of the first zone.

 According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the position regulation valve comprises an inlet chamber having an inlet communicating with said first zone and an outlet communicating at least temporarily with a pressure regulation chamber whose outlet communicates with the second heel area; an independent damping chamber, separated from the pressure regulation chamber by a movable partition supporting a piston closing a communication orifice between the intake chamber and the pressure regulation chamber.

 According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the intake chamber and the pressure regulation chamber also communicate permanently through a calibrated orifice.

 According to another advantageous alternative embodiment, the damping chamber communicates permanently with the outside via a calibrated orifice.

 According to another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second support zone of the heel zone communicates permanently with the outside via a calibrated orifice.

 Within the framework of the invention, it is possible to provide a device for measuring the controlled depth of penetration as described in the document FR-A2 718 347 = EP-A-0 676 158.

 Thanks to the invention, by the fact that the heel area is mounted as a bypass of the first area mainly or essentially supporting the patient, outside the heel area, the pressure of the heel area is lower than that of the rest of the support so that the heels sink into the mattress and the leg rests over its entire length on the support to relieve the pressure exerted on the heels.

 Thanks to the invention, the pressure can be easily adjusted according to the relative position of the patient on the support, his weight and his morphology, or according to the particular needs of the treatment.

 In the context of the invention, it is understood that a particularly low pressure zone is created in the heel zone, the pressure of which is in fact a function of the pressure existing in the main zone or zones.

 In the context of the invention, and thanks to the presence of the pressure adjustment valve, it is possible to adjust the pressure value existing in the heel area either at a constant pressure which is always a fraction of the pressure in the main zone or zones, or even in a constant pressure ratio in the main zone or zones, this valve then having a pressure division function.

 Naturally, the pressure adjustment valve can have any practical embodiment, either a mechanical form, an electronic form or any other suitable pressure adjustment device.

 Thanks to the invention, the pressure exerted on the heels is relieved, which makes it possible to avoid the development of bedsores, the heel area being one of the regions of the body most sensitive to the development of bedsores for a bedridden patient. prolonged.

 A particularly advantageous application of the invention is therefore the prevention or medical treatment of pressure sores.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear in the light of the explanatory description which follows, given with reference to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention given simply by way of illustration and which therefore cannot in any way limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings:
- Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a support device as described in Figure 2 of the prior document of the depositor
FR-A-2,718,347 = EP-AO 676,158;
- Figure 2 schematically shows the modified support part according to the invention showing the creation of a specific support area of the heel area, bypassing at least one support area other than the heel area;
- Figure 3 shows in detail and in axial and longitudinal section the structure and the operating principle of a currently preferred embodiment of a pressure control valve according to the invention, mounted as a bypass between the main support zone outside the heel area and the support area of the heel area; and
FIG. 4 represents in axial and longitudinal section an effective embodiment of a pressure regulating valve, the principle of which is shown in FIG. 3.

 With reference to FIG. 1, a support device of the prior art, as described in FIG. 2 of the document FR-A-2 718 347 = EP-AO 676 158, is represented by the general reference number 10. This support device makes it possible to support an element, in particular as shown the body of a patient P.

 This device 10 comprises a support device proper 12, for example a mattress, comprising at least one closed or controlled exhaust zone 14, flexible, inflatable, which can for example be composed of a multiplicity of inflatable tubes communicating with each other, said chamber 14 being inflatable under a predetermined initial inflation pressure, adjustable.

This chamber 14 has an upper face 15 serving as a support for the support element T and P, a lower face 16 which can, for example, rest on a box spring (not shown here) or equivalent means. The apparatus also comprises means 18 for controlling the filling pressure of the chamber 14 as a function of the insertion distance into the support device of the element to be supported, for example comprising filling means 20, such as pumping means 20, of a filling flow from the chamber 14, such as a gas, in particular air, or a liquid, in particular water, and evacuation means such as a valve 22.

 This device also includes means 30 for measuring the distance D separating the upper face 15 from the chamber 14 relative to the lower face 16.

 These measurement means 30 may, for example, comprise a metallic element 32, advantageously in the form of a thin sheet, integral with the upper face 15 of the chamber 14, here inside the chamber 14, cooperating with at least an inductive element 34 forming a position detector, integral with the underside 16 of said chamber 14, which can be arranged inside the chamber, integrated into the underside of the chamber 14, or secured externally to the underside 16 from chamber 14, as shown.

 The apparatus also comprises control means 40 acting on the mean 18 of servo-control of the inflation pressure of the chamber 14 to maintain, during the support, the distance B measured by the upper face 15 of the lower face 16 of the chamber 14, preferably at a predetermined distance value, for example essentially constant, essentially equal to, or within an acceptable variation, relative to a set distance Dc.

The control means 40 can advantageously include a control unit 42 comprising an electronic or electromechanical central unit having a memory which receives continuously or intermittently signals proportional to the value of the measured distance Dm, transmitted by the aforementioned measuring means 30 , and which compare the measured distance values Dm with the setpoint distance value Dc. The central control unit 42 controls the means 20, 22 for controlling the inflation pressure of the chamber 14 in order to permanently reach a measured distance
Dm, essentially equal to, or in an acceptable variation, relative to the set distance Dc.

The control means 40 may comprise an oscillator device 44 described in this previous application from the depositor, coupled to the inductive element 34, such as an induction coil or self, an amplifier device 46 whose amplification can be adjusted by a setpoint adjustment device 48
defining the set distance Dc. The amplifier 46 is then coupled to an integral proportional regulation device 50 coupled to an adapter device 52, the output of which is coupled to the control unit 42.

 These control means 40 are described in detail in the previous document of the applicant FR-A-2 718 347 = EP-A-O 676 158, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 and in the description which relates thereto.

 In the embodiment of the present FIG. 1, the inductive element 34 such as a coil or induction coil is, for example, placed on a reinforcement element 36 at the level of the zone of the element to be supported P of greater mass or prominence, here the sacral area of patient P as explained in the previous document of the aforementioned depositor.

 In the context of the applicant's prior document, it is also described with reference to FIG. 3, the subdivision of the support element, such as a mattress into several chambers, each of which comprises the same measuring device 30 with its own regulation means , so that the structure becomes complex, expensive and the operation complicated.

 In the context of the present invention, according to the solution shown with reference to Figures 2 to 4 attached, The apparatus is modified so that the support device, for example a mattress, is subdivided into at least two support zones, of which a support area for the specific heel area. For simplification and for better understanding, the elements identical to those of the applicant's previous document have been used with the same reference numbers, while the modified elements use the same reference increased by 500.

 Thus, in the context of the present invention, the patient is represented with the reference P, the heel area is referenced T. The general support element is referenced 512, the first main support area is referenced 514 and the second area heel area support is referenced 514a. It is understood that each of these zones 514, 514a can be formed of a multiplicity of inflatable tubes.

 In the context of the present invention, the first zone or main zone 514, which can naturally be itself subdivided into several zones, can be inflated under a predetermined initial inflation pressure, adjustable according to the structure of FIG. 1 attached which was briefly recalled above and which is described completely in detail in the previous document of the depositor.

 In the context of the present invention, the second support zone of the heel zone 514a is connected in derivation of the first zone by means of a connection means 600. This connection means 600 is preferably constituted by a pressure control valve 610, the inlet of which is supplied by a supply duct 612 communicating with the main support area 514 and the outlet of which communicates by a duct 660 with the second support area of the heel area 514a.

 The structure of the currently preferred embodiment of the pressure control valve 610 is now described with reference to FIG. 3.

 In FIG. 3, the main support area 514 and the support area of the heel area 514a are shown symbolically, as well as the inlet 612 and outlet 660 conduits.

 This regulating valve 610, according to the currently preferred embodiment, comprises an inlet chamber 614 having an inlet 616 communicating with the inlet duct 612 and an outlet 618 communicating with a pressure regulating chamber 620 whose outlet 622 communicates with the outlet conduit 660 communicating with the second zone 514a. In the context of the invention, according to an embodiment of FIG. 3, the valve 610 also comprises an independent damping chamber 630, separated from the pressure regulation chamber 620 by a movable partition 632 supporting a piston 634 d closing of an orifice 636 for communication between the inlet chamber 614 and the pressure regulation chamber 620.

 According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the intake chamber 614 and the pressure regulation chamber 620 also communicate permanently by a calibrated orifice 640.

 According to another advantageous alternative embodiment of the invention, the damping chamber 630 also communicates permanently with the outside via a calibrated orifice 642.

 According to yet another advantageous alternative embodiment of the invention, the second zone 514a for supporting the heel zone T communicates permanently with the outside via a calibrated orifice 650 which can be, by simplification, integral with the regulating valve 610, as shown, and connected to the second zone 514a by a conduit 652.

 In the context of the embodiment shown, it is understood that one can adjust the pressure value for which the piston 634 will close the orifice 636 by providing a means 670 for adjusting the pressure force acting against the rod 634a of the piston 634 so that the head 634b of the piston 634 will only close the orifice 636 for a given pressure value. This adjustment means 670 can, for example, comprise an elastic element 672 exerting a unidirectional pressure against the rod 634a of the piston 634 whose value of unilateral pressure is adjusted by a pressure adjustment member proper 674, such as a system pressure setting screw and nut.

 Referring to Figures 2 to 4, it is understood that the operation of this system is particularly simple.

 Thus, during the inflation of the first zone 514 which here supports the main part of the patient's body P, with the exception of the heel zone T, according to a procedure identical to that described for FIG. 1 of the prior document of the depositor, after inflation of this first zone 514 to a certain pressure value, this first zone will supply via the conduit 612 the intake chamber 614 then the pressure regulation chamber 620 and finally by the conduit 660 the second support region 514a the heel zone T and from a certain pressure value, a leak will occur through the conduit 652 through the calibrated leak orifice 650. Naturally, this calibrated orifice 650 is sufficiently small for the deflation of the second zone 514a requires a relatively long period of time. The orifice 636 being much larger, and supplied more significantly by the conduit 612 of the first zone 514, there is an inflation of the second zone 514a until the pressure in the inlet chamber 614 is greater than the setting pressure exerted by the pressure adjusting means 670, value from which the head 634b of the piston 634 will come to bear against the orifice 636 made watertight by a seal 637. From this pressure value, the pressure regulating chamber 620 is maintained at essentially constant pressure due to the existence of the fluid orifice 640 making the intake chamber 614 communicate with the pressure regulating chamber 620 and which compensates substantially exactly the permanent leakage obtained by the fluid orifice 650 at the outlet of the second zone 514a of the heel zone. The existence of the leakage orifice 642 communicating the damping chamber 630 with the outside makes it possible to facilitate correct operation of the movable partition 632, for example formed by a flexible membrane, for example made of rubber or equivalent material.

 Thanks to this structure, the pressure value in the second support zone 514a of the heel zone T can be adjusted to a pressure value at most equal to the pressure value in the first zone 514, or to an adjustable fraction of this one, in a particularly simple way.

 Within the framework of the invention, it is also possible to provide on the first zone 512, a regulating valve 522 similar to the valve 22, FIG. 1, and controlled by the central control unit 42 to ensure operation in the first zone 512 in accordance the method and the device described with reference to FIG. 1 in the prior document of the applicant, which is not modified.

 The present invention makes it possible to create a specific heel zone, the pressure of which is made specific by a very simple means, that is to say by bypassing the first zone.

 Thus, it is possible to obtain a lower pressure value in the heel area which constitutes one of the regions of the body most sensitive to the development of bedsores for a patient who is confined to bed for a prolonged period. Thanks to this pressure in the heel area which is lower than that of the rest of the support, the heels can sink into the support, or mattress, so that the leg rests over its entire length on the support or mattress, which relieves the pressure on the heels.

 Within the framework of the invention, the pressure can be varied as a function of the relative position of the patient on the support, of his weight and of his morphology or else as a function of the particular needs for treatment.

 The invention therefore finds a preferred application in the case of prevention or treatment of pressure sores.

Claims (13)

 1. A method of supporting a patient's body, comprising the provision of at least one support element (512), in particular a mattress, subdivided into at least two closed, flexible zones (514, 514a) to controlled exhaust, inflatable under pressure depending on the setting of the insertion distance, at least a first zone (514) for supporting the patient's body (P) other than the heel zone (514a) and a second zone (514a) specific support for the heel area (T), characterized in that the second area (514a) is inflated in diversion from the first area (514a).  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure in the second zone (514a) is adjustable as a function of the pressure in the first zone (514).  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure in the second zone (514a) of the heel zone (T) is substantially constant.  4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure in the second zone (514a) of the heel zone (T) is a constant fraction of the pressure of the first zone (514).  5. Device for supporting the body of a patient (P) comprising at least one support element (512), in particular a mattress, subdivided into at least two flexible zones (514 514a), with controlled exhaust, inflatable under pressure function of the setting of the insertion distance, at least a first area (514) for supporting the patient's body (P) other than the heel area (T), and a second area (514a) for area-specific support heel (T), characterized in that said second zone (514a) is connected in derivation (600) from the first zone (514) so as to be inflated in derivation from the first zone (514).  6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the connection (600) between the second zone (514a) of the heel zone (1) and the first zone (514) comprises a valve (610) for regulating pressure.  7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the pressure regulating valve (610) is adjusted to give a substantially constant pressure value in the second zone (514).  8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the pressure regulating valve (610) is adjusted to give a pressure value in the second zone (514a) of heel (T) constituting a fraction essentially constant of the first zone.  9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the control valve (610) comprises an inlet chamber (614) having an inlet (616) communicating with the first zone (514) and an outlet (618) communicating at least temporarily with a pressure regulation chamber (620), the outlet (622) of which communicates with the second heel area (514a); an independent damping chamber (630), separated from the pressure regulation chamber (620) by a movable partition (632) supporting a piston (634) for closing a port (636) for communication between the chamber d inlet (614) of the pressure regulation chamber (620).  10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the intake chamber (614) and the pressure regulation chamber (620) further communicate permanently by a calibrated orifice (640).  11. Device according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the damping chamber (630) communicates permanently with the outside by a calibrated orifice (642).  12. Device according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the second support zone (514a) of the heel zone (T) communicates permanently with the outside through a calibrated orifice (650).  13. Application of the device according to any one of claims 5 to 12 to the manufacture of an apparatus for the prevention or medical treatment of bedsores.